NASCAR determined to reduce downforce; teams determined to get it back

By
Matt Weaver

Jan 25, 2016

LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The new competition package for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series isn't really that new after all.

Much has been made about the reduction in downforce that should make the cars more difficult to drive and increase action during the course of a green-flag run. That was certainly the case last season at Kentucky and Darlington, tracks where the package was first tested during a points-paying event.

By most estimates, NASCAR has reduced the overall downforce levels from last year by 25 percent. However, many crew chiefs and engineers have suggested that teams will get 20 percent of that downforce back by the summer, virtually resulting in no change from year to year.

New NASCAR vice president of competition Scott Miller confirmed these estimates, but also wouldn't rule out the sanctioning body making additional changes to further reduce downforce.

"I would say that's accurate," Miller said of teams regaining downforce through engineering. "We'll look at the data and work with the garage to put the best possible product on the track. We do that constantly and we'll do that here as well."

The problem NASCAR officials may face during the summer is a fading on-track product and owners unwilling to spend resources to make changes in the middle of the season. For what it's worth, Miller doesn't expect a lot negative push from teams as long as any proposed changes make sense.

"We have the ability, for certain, to make sure that we'll be able to put the best product that we can on the racetrack," Miller said. "Really, right now the consideration is about the product on the racetrack and controlling costs.

"We can find that balance there. We can do what we can do and the teams can support it. Any of those decisions will be mutually made."

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